Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 145

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota > Part 145

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Alvin Eichhorn, another brother, was also a member of the firm from the beginning of its history until his death at Ocean Park, California, on July 4, 1910. He was born in 1854, and was also a native of the state of Wisconsin. The mark and enduring impress of all the brothers, like their father's, is visible in many parts of the city they have all helped so materially to build in its massive business structures and its attractive residences, and is shown also in its educational, mercantile and financial institutions, to many of which they have been liberal contributors in time, effort, good counsel and more material support, whenever assistance of any kind has been needed.

Arthur E. Eichhorn, the immediate subject of this review, has taken an earnest and helpful interest in the social life of his community, notably as an active member of the Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks and its elub, the Inter- lachen club and the Teutonia Kegel Klub, a German tenpin or bowling organization. He has also been active in municipal affairs as an advocate of good government and wise provision for the best interests of the city and its residents, but never

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

as a political partisan or aspirant to official station of any kind.

Mr. Eichhorn was married in 1886 to Miss Susie Rauen, a native of Minneapolis and the daughter of Peter Rauen, one of the old-time merchants of this city. Two children have been born of the union and both of them are living. They are: Edmund P., a graduate of the North High School and the law department of the University of Minnesota, who is now connected with the real estate firm of E. Eichhorn & Sons; Myrtle, who is still living at home with her parents, and is also a graduate of the North High School and now a student in the University. All the members of the family are widely popular and generally esteemed for their genuine worth, lofty ideals and exemplary citizenship.

CARLOS CHURCH.

During the last five years a resident of Minneapolis, at 517 Ninth avenue southeast, but for many years an energetic and productive promoter of the redemption and improvement of the wilderness that has been tributary to the growth and greatness of this city, Carlos Church has honestly earned the high regard and esteem in which he is held by all who have the enjoyment of his acquaintance.

Mr. Churchi was born at Jericho, Chittenden county, Ver- mont, April 9, 1845, and was but a schoolboy of eighteen when in 1863 he enlisted in the Ninth Vermont Infantry, then in the field in Virginia. He was soon assigned as a musician, playing the tenor drum, and as such remained in the service to the end of the war.

He then rejoined his parents and the rest of the family in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they were profitably engaged in farming. He became a farmer too, and was there united in marriage with Miss Amelia D. Maechler, who was born and reared in the county. When the Red River valley country was opened for settlement, he, his brother Azro and their father, Lyman D. Church, each took a homestead in the new region near Breckenridge, Minnesota, and there began the arduous work of converting the wilderness of that region into the garden spot they made of it.

Their land originally was worth at the utmost $1.25 an acre. When they had it raised to a proper state of improve- ment and cultivation, it was easily worth $75 to $100 an acre. The father remained there the rest of his life, dying at the age of seventy. His sons took his remains back to Dodge county, Wisconsin, for burial, where they were laid in soil he had also hallowed by his labor.

Carlos Church proved himself as valiant in contest with the wilderness as he had been on the field, reducing his wild land to subjection and improved it to high productiveness. He began at once to plant thrifty pine trees around his homestead, which he continued until he had more than two miles of them in good growing condition, and the rows of giants of the forest which now belt his farm of 300 acres with stateliness and beauty are among the boasted attrac- tions of the neighborhood. For some years he devoted his energies to raising wheat and other cereals, but of late years he has given a great deal of attention to raising live stock. Indians and buffalo were plentiful in the region when he in- vaded it, but they did not deter him from going or hamper him in his enterprise after he went. All his products from

first to last helped to swell the commercial greatness of Minneapolis. It was therefore entirely fit and proper that when he retired from active work he should seek a home in the city.

He and his father and brother were among the first home- steaders in the locality they chose in the Red River valley, and they became important factors in laying the foundations of civil life and government there. They were active in helping to establish township and county organization, build schools and churches, create and direct political activities and perform all the other duties of progressive citizenship. What Wilkin county is they aided vastly in making it, and its progress is a part of their creditable history.

Since he came to Minneapolis Mr. Church has acquired a number of valuable properties. He and his wife were the parents of two sons and one daughter. Eva is the wife of Wilbur Larrabee, a retired grocer in Southeast Minneapolis. For many years he was a popular railroad agent in Minne- sota and North Dakota. They have one child, Dorothy. Burton Church also became a railroad agent and was manager of the station at Farwell, Pope county. He was a young man of great promise and ability and enjoyed wide popu- larity. But his career was cut short by death in early man- hood. Willis chose the same line of work and was fitting himself for advancement in it, when he too was stricken down, passing away while he was yet in his teens. The father has mingled to some extent in fraternal life as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has never been active in political affairs, but he has never neglected any of the duties of good citizenship. They are members of the First Congregational church.

FRANKLIN M. CROSBY. -

Franklin M. Crosby, who is almost wholly a product of Minneapolis, although born and partly educated in another state than this, is a son of the late John and Olive (Muzzy) Crosby, natives of Maine and founders of the family in this city. The father was president of the Washburn-Crosby com- pany at the time of his death, and during his life was one of the most potential forces in building up that colossal indus- trial institution, by his connection with which in a leading way he made Minneapolis and himself known throughout the civilized world in industrial and commercial circles.

Franklin M. Crosby was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1876, and came to Minneapolis with his parents when he was four years old. He attended the Minneapolis public schools and prepared for college at the Andover preparatory school in Massachusetts. From that school he went to Yale University and from its academic department he was graduated in 1897. He then returned to Minneapolis, and for about one year_he was employed in flour mills.

Mr. Crosby's inclination was, however, to trading. He rep- resented Washburn-Crosby Co. on the trading floor of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, and he has been steadily connected with that organization ever since, rising constantly in its councils until he is now its president, having been clected to that office in 1913. He is also a director of the Security National Bank, and has taken his father's place to some extent in the management of the Washburn-Crosby Company as one of its directors.

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Mr. Crosby is also active in the organized social life of the community as a member of the Minneapolis, Minikahda, Lafayette and several other leading clubs of the city. He was president of the Minneapolis club in 1908. In 1901 he was married in thi's city to Miss Harriet McKnight, a Minne- apolis lady. They have six children, and their family home is at 2120 Park avenue.

AXEL ALBERT EBERHART.

Axel A. Eberhart was born on a farm in Vermland, Sweden, April 28, 1876. His father was Andrew and his mother Louisa Olson and they came to St. Peter, Minnesota, when Axel was about 5 years old. Two years later they went to Nebraska to a farm near Lime Grove, where he reached his majority. His first schooling was about three months of each year in the country schools near Lime Grove and at twenty lie began to earn the moncy for a course in college and attended the University of South Dakota, funds lasting, however, but three months. The next year he remained six months, and by so continuing completed the five-year Ad- vanced Latin course in the Mankato Normal School in 1902. Completing the law course in the University in the spring of 1906, he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession, for two years being in partnership with Clin- ton M. Odell.

He is a Republican in politics. Socially he is a member of the Odin elub, the University club and the Civic and Com- merce Association.

JOHN N. GREER.

John N. Greer, principal of the Central High School and well known educator, was born at Davenport, Iowa, April 17, 1860, the descendant of Quaker ancestors who came to this country at an early date and played an important part in the colonial history of Pennsylvania, as members of its gov- erning council presided over by William Penn. Mr. Greer was rcared on a farm near Davenport, where the death of his father occurred when John was but ten years of age. He attended the public schools of Davenport, and after graduating from the high school in 1878 as valedictorian of his class, spent some time teaching and then entered Grinnell college for further study and training. The education he sought and notably achieved in this institution was a preparation that would result in a worthy and competent success in the world's work and to this end he interested himself in every phase of education, winning honors in both scholarly and athletic pursuits, and finding time to secure further practical experi- ence as a teacher by giving instruction in seience. During his attendance at college he formed an intimate acquaintance with Dr. Albert Shaw, now editor of the Review of Reviews, an association which did much to influence and enrich his latter career. He graduated in 1882, receiving the degrees of bachelor of arts and of science and membership to the honorary society of Phi Beta Kappa. The master degree was conferred on Mr. Greer by Grinnell in 1885. After leav- ing college he spent some time in the employ of the Central Union Telephone company and installed the telephone ex-

change at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1884 after two years in this business he resumed his activities in the teaching pro- fession, becoming principal of School Number 2 in Davenport, where he remained until 1888, when he came to Minneapolis to accept the position of principal of North High school. He served three years in this school and was then advanced to his present responsible position as principal of the Central High School. The twenty-two years of his association with this school have witnessed remarkable development in educa- tional methods and an increase in attendance of from 500 pupils to 2200 and throughout this period his progressive and capable management and expert knowledge have made his services of inestimable value to the school system of the city. The establishment of the West school made a slight reduction in the attendance at other buildings, but the new Central building which opened in Scpt., 1903, has an enrollment of over 2000 students and 70 instructors. This building, reeog- nized as representing the most complete departmental equip- ments and advanced educational ideas of any similar structure in the country, embodies the plans and theories of Mr. Greer based upon years of study and experience. Hc has made every department of his vocation the subject of his keenest interest and careful application, striving to master every problem presented to the modern educator and winning much recognition from his fellow laborers through his efforts. Not only the mental training of the pupil has received his atten- tion, but the physical as well. He has become an authority on school architecture and has given his influence to the maintenance of the high athletic standard of the Minneapolis schools. He has given much time and thought to vocational courses and vocational guidance work and is getting some splendid results while others are talking about it. He is a member of various teachers' associations and compiled for Dr. Albert Shaw an educational history of Minnesota. Mr. Greer was married to Miss Elizabeth Russell, daughter of Mr. Edward Russell, editor of the Davenport Gazette. They have three children, Edward Russell, who is chief engineer for the Gas Traction company of Minneapolis; Margaret, a graduate of the state university in 1913 with the honor of Phi Beta Kappa, and Abby, who is a student in the high school. Mr. Greer was a member of the Plymouth Congre- gational church for a number of years, but of late years has become an active supporter of the Christian Science church.

LOUIS KOSSUTH HULL.

Louis Kossuth Hull is a lawyer in active practice in Min- neapolis, where he has been engaged in professional work since 1887. He came to this city that year well prepared for the line of endeavor he had chosen as his life occupation by careful study in the law department of Yale University and two years' practice in New Haven, Connecticut, and in the Territory of Dakota. He also enjoyed exceptional aca- demic advantages, and by energetic and judicious use of them obtained a first rate general education.

Mr. Hull was born at Lebanon, Connecticut, on November 9, 1861, the son of Commodore Charles and Luey Lincohi (Perry) Hull. His scholastie training was begun in Hopkins Grammar school in New Haven, and he afterward attended the academie department of Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1883. Taking up the study of law he entered the law

alfral &. Hamile

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

department of the same university, and, after completing the course of study in it, received his degree of LL. B. from it in 1885. He at once began practicing in the city in which he had prepared for his profession. Going in the fall of 1885 to the Territory of Dakota he engaged in the law business as a partner of Hon. John E. Carland at present a judge of the United States Circuit Court, remaining there in legal contests until 1887. In 1887 he came to Minnesota to live, and here he has been active in the practice of law ever since. He has attained good standing at the bar, and is highly esteemed as a citizen and business man.

The exacting requirements which the law lays upon a practitioner have not, however, wholly occupied Mr. Hull's attention and energies. He is president of the Southern Minnesota Lumber company and vice president of the Union Lumber company, president of the Diamond Boiler Works and the Minnesota & Southeastern Railroad company. He is also a director of and the general counsel for the Security National Bank of Minneapolis, and connected in a serviceable way with other institutions and activities of value in pro- moting the progress, development and substantial improve- ment of the city.

Mr. Hull keeps closely in touch with the advance in his profession as an active and interested member of the Ameri- can Bar Association. He has also taken an earnest and helpful part in public affairs in both his native and his adopted state. In 1884 he was an alderman in New Haven and Connecticut's member of the National Democratic com- mittee. In 1888 he was a member of the State Democratic committee of Minnesota and in 1892 chairman of the Demo- cratic Central committee of Minneapolis. He is an ardent believer in the principles of his party and always a zealous worker for its success.

In church relations Mr. Hull is an Episcopalian, and his fraternal connection is with the Masonic Order, in which he is a Knight Templar in the York Rite and a Freemason of the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. While at Yale he was captain and for several years coach of the University rowing crew and captain of the football team. He was also a Skull and Bones man, and in the Psi Upsilon fraternity. In Minneapolis he belongs to the Minneapolis, Town and Country, Minikahda, Lafayette, Automobile and Elks clubs. He was married in this city on December 12, 1892, to Miss Agnes Oliphant McNair. He has his office in the Security National Bank and his residence at No. 21 Groveland Terrace.

ALFRED ELLSWORTH MERRILL.

Alfred Ellsworth Merrill, lumberman, was born at Maid- stone, Essex Co., Vt., May 28, 1845, son of Samuel Day (1810- 1891) and Louisa (Heath) Merrill. He was of sterling New England ancestry. His great-grandfather, John Merrill, of English descent, was born at Haverhill, Mass., in 1750, mar- ried Sarah Rowell, fought at Bennington, Vt., as a soldier in the revolutionary war, was a first lieutenant stationed at

Plattsburg, N. Y., in the war of 1812, and died at Maidstone, Vt., in 1837. John Merrill's son Joseph, grandfather of Alfred E. Merrill, was born at Lisbon, N. H., in 1774, married Susan Day, was a volunteer in the 11th U. S. Infantry in the war of 1812, was at Plattsburg under Col. Dana, and died at Maidstone, Vt., in 1864.

Alfred E. Merrill received his early education in the dis- trict schools of Vermont. In 1855, Samuel Merrill removed with his family to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming near Portage City, and the son later attended Lawrence Uni- versity at Appleton. At the age of twenty-two he entered the employ of the lumber firm of George B. Burch & Com- pany at Necedah, Wis., his business talent and attention to detail soon gaining for him a partnership in that firm, which owned saw mills and extensive pine tracts on the tributaries of the Wisconsin River. Here, on the frontier, thrown in intimate contact with men of all types and stations, living in the midst of and overcoming the adverse conditions of an undeveloped region and continually subject to the impelling force of an active business, he spent sixteen years. Developed and equipped by this training and experience, in 1884 he removed to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He soon became identified with many of the substantial business enterprises of his adopted city, and also entered keenly into civic, municipal and political affairs. In 1899, he became a member of the City Council as represent- ative of the Fourth Ward, and this position by successive elections he thereafter held, serving uninterruptedly for ten years. During the first six years of this service he was con- tinuously chairman of the committee on Ways and Means and a member of the committees on Water Works and Health and Hospitals. For the following four years he was the president of the City Council. His constant aim in the Coun- cil was to serve the people. He took the lead in much pro- gressive legislation; to his initiative was due the appoint- ment of the first pure water commission; he had a large part in securing for Minneapolis a complete and efficient pumping station and distributive mains as part of the water system; an effective garbage crematory plant, and a modern quaran- tine hospital. He introduced the ordinance establishing a comprehensive system of municipal accounting and to the great profit of the city, he continually applied to the con- duct of its finances the same accuracy and care that his busi- ness training had led him to give private matters. His com- prehension of public questions was clear and keen and his ex- ample of fearless, vigorous, unselfish, upright discharge of public duty served as an inspiration to his fellow-citizens. He was a man of balanced temper, genial disposition and quick generosity, he was guided by strong convictions and high ideals and his character and personality made a strong impress on the community.

He was married June 30, 1869, to Jane Summerside, daugh- ter of George and Mary Summerside, of Necedah, Wis. There were three children, Nellie Louise, Roy Willard and Guy Summerside Merrill.

Mr. Merrill died April 10, 1909.

INDEX

General Subjects.

Advertising, pioneer, in St. Anthony, 92, 93. Agricultural Fair, first in Minnesota at Minneapolis, 123, 124. Agricultural Society, Hennepin County, 123.

"All Saints," first proposed name of Minneapolis, 97.

Personal Subjects.

Accault, Michael, commander of Hennepin's expedition, 4.

General Subjects.

Banks. Clearings of in 1881, 1890, 1892, 1893, 145; first in St. Anthony, 169; first on west side of river at Minne- apolis, 169; First National, 169; Northwestern National, 170 to 172; Security National, 172, 173; Minneapolis Trust Co., 173, 174; Minnesota Loan and Trust Co., 174; State Institution for Savings, 174, 175; Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings, 175, 176; Scandinavian-American National, 176; Metropolitan National, 177; St. Anthony Falls, 177; National City Bank of Minneapolis, 177; German American, 178; East Side State, 178, 179.

Battles. Indian's, between Sioux and Chippewas, in July, 1839, at Rum River and Stillwater, 46 to 49; of Gettys- burg,, First Minnesota in, 134; Capt. Strout's with Little Crow's Indians at Kelly's Bluff and Hutchinson, 133, 158. Blake School, 135 et seq.

Boom, business of 1884 to 1891, pp. 140, 144.

Bridge, first across Mississippi, from source to mouth, by Frank Steele at St. Anthony, July, 1851, p. 99; new suspen- sion in 1874, p. 140.

Personal Subjects.

Backus, Miss Electa, first school teacher in St. Anthony, 90. Bailly, Alexis. Agent of American Fur Company at Mendota;

superseded by Sibley, 45; first citizen slaveholder in Minne- sota, 46.

Banfil, John, early settler at mouth of Rice Creek, 79.

Beltrami, J. Constantine. Comes to Fort Snelling on first steamboat, describes St. Anthony Falls, etc., 37, 38.

Bottineau, Pierre. Early settler of St. Anthony, etc., 62; has his lots surveyed, 73.

Brown, Joseph Renshaw. Explores Minnehaha Creek and dis- covers Lake Minnetonka; makes first land claim in Hen- nepin County, and probably Minnehaha Creek and Falls were named for him, 36; planned organization of and named Minnesota, etc., 37; plans Minnesota Territory, 59, 60; Member of Canvassing Board at first State election, 129.

General Subjects.

Cattle, first dairy herd at Minneapolis, 107.

Census, first in Minnesota, 1849, p. 75; in St. Anthony by families and households, 76; "war" with St. Paul in 1890, p. 144; figures for 1900, p. 146.

Chamber of Commerce established, 147.

Charters. For St. Anthony as a city, 125; for Minneapolis, 138; for the consolidated city, 138.

Cheyenne Indians in Minnesota Valley, 39.

Churches. First in St. Anthony; Catholic, built in 1851, by Fr. Ravoux, 100, 101; Episcopal in 1852, 100; Methodist was first organized, 100; Congregational church building completed in 1854, p. 101; first churches in Minneapolis, 121; churches erected between 1880 and 1890, p. 142.

Claims, Land. First in Hennepin County by J. R. Brown, 36; first under Treaty of 1837 by Frank Steele and others, 52.

Commercial Club, organized, 147, 148.

Conventions. The Stillwater, 71; Constitutional, election of delegates to, 126-127.

County Seats. Of Ramsey County, failure of St. Anthony to secure, 101; of Hennepin County, locating and naming, 111. Crises in Minnesota History. Discovery of St. Anthony's Falls in 1680, pp. 7, 8, 9; building of Ft. Snelling, 29; evic- tion of white settlers from reservation, 57, 58; treaties of 1837, pp. 50, 51, 52.

Personal Subjects.

Carver, Capt. Jonathan. His account of a visit to St. Anthony Falls and Minnesota in 1766, with comments, 19-22; his descendant claims St. Anthony, 70; grandsons visit Minne- sota, 33.

Catlin, George, visits Minnesota in 1835 and 1836; paints and describes St. Anthony's Falls and other Minnesota scenery, 54.

Champlain, Samuel, founds Quebec, 2.

Charleville, M. de, claimed to have ascended Mississippi to 300 miles above St. Anthony Falls, 17.

Christian, Geo. H., article on early roller mills, etc., 160-162. Cloud Man, chief of Lake Calhoun Sioux band, general sketch of, 40-42.

General Subjects.

Dams, first across east channel of Mississippi, 67.

Dan Patch Electric Railway, 148.

Diversions of early residents of St. Anthony, 101, 102.

571

572

INDEX

Personal Subjects.

Dunwoody, William H., benefactions to educational institu- tions, 149.

General Subjects.

Elections. For first Delegate to Congress, 85, 86; poll list of first at St. Anthony, 86; in 1849 for members of Ter- ritorial Legislature, 86, 87; in 1850 for Delegate to Con- gress and county officials, 87, 88.

Eviction of settlers from Fort Snelling reservation, 57, 58, 59.

Expedition's. Hennepin's, 4-14; LeSuenr's up the Minnesota, 15, 16; his alleged 300 miles above St. Anthony's Falls, 17; Charleville's alleged, 17; Verendrye and Sons, 18; Carver's to Minnesota, 19-22; Lieut. Pike's, 23-26; Long's in 1817, 1823; through Minnesota, 33 to 36; Featherstonhaugh's, 53. Explorers, first white, 2, 3.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 145

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 1190

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190